$24,480

113

The campaign is going fantastically! For those who like charts--and who doesn't--click the link above to see our progress in all its Kicktraq-graph glory!

Every campaign needs a campaign map. Wooden Wars is no different (okay, it's pretty different, but not in this regard). Here is the campaign map for the next few weeks.

Bolstered by ranks of robots and the swift Steel Dragoons, the Wooden Wars Volunteer Army is gathering an unstoppable momentum, capturing New Golia and threatening two new cities. What does this mean? It means that we are adding to the rewards for the project. As the campaign progresses, we'll reveal new portions of the map along with new rewards.

NEW - OPTIONS AND EXTRAS

Looking to bolster a unit in your reward tier, or add to one of the new extras that have been unlocked as the campaign is progressing? Maybe a battery of less than four guns simply won't do for you! Well, now you can add to and tailor your Wooden Wars force the way you want it by adding additional sprues. Take a look at the chart below and the description that follows.

How it works!

Simply increase your pledge to include whichever extra troops you desire. When you change your pledge, make sure you add the total for the extra troops (plus shipping) to your original pledge value. At the end of the campaign, we'll prepare a survey that lets you indicate what the additional money was for.

Example:
You have pledged at the $60 level, but you really want an extra cannon and crew. The cannon and crew option is $20. You are only making a single choice, so shipping is $5. You increase your total pledge to $85 and at the end of the campaign, mark on the survey that the extra $25 was for the cannon and shipping. Easy!
Shipping
Each line on the Options and Extras chart counts as a choice. If you make up to five choices, please also add $5 towards shipping. If you made six or more choices please add $10.

Reinforcements Needed

You answered the call for more backers, so everyone who has pledged as a Hussar or above (that's he $25 level) will receive one of the new baton sprues. The baton sprue contains the pieces for a single baton.

We'll be announcing a new goal for additional recruits soon.

Strange Sights In Stretchenheim

Scouts at the gates of the city reported The Emperor has raised the stakes in Wooden Wars. Large mechanical soldiers were sighted, and could soon be involved in battles near you!

Any backer who pledges at the ADC level or above (that's the $50 level) will receive one of the new robot sprues. Each sprue can make two Wooden Wars robotic soldiers.

These figures are the first in a new line called Queen Victoria's Robot Wars. This line will let you fight battles in a Victorian Sci Fi setting, which will feature robots, weird science, creatures from alien worlds, and much much more. Of course, you can also add some unique and unusual unit types to the regular Napoleonic-era models. Like the other Wooden Wars models, there are plenty of options for you to mix and match to create various different poses.

The Storming of Stretchenheim

Stretchenheim has been liberated! The great gates and small robotic force was no match for the Elite Volunteer WoodenWars Army! Alas Queen Victoria made a terrific fighting withdrawl with the help of her Daunting Steel dragoons. Scouts have reported that she has moved her camp to the city of Hypezig.

Backers who select any reward containing at least one unit will be able to choose to have each of their units be British or French.

In addition, a standard infantry soldier design has been added to the Queen Victoria's Robot Wars line. Any backer who pledges at the ADC level or above (that's the $50 level) will receive one of the new infantry sprues. Each sprue can make two Wooden Wars soldiers.

On To Hypezig!

Defenses crumbled at Hypezig and, with barely a shot fired, the city was taken.

What does this mean? We quickly surpassed our higher goal and an additional unit of troops for Queen Victoria's Robot Wars is now available: Steel Dragoons! Any backer who pledged at the ADC level or higher will receive the sprues needed to make a single Steel Dragoon model, in addition to their other rewards.

A preliminary sketch for the Steel Dragoon mount has been snatched from the drawing boards!

New Golia Falls!

Flushed with success from the rapid fall of Hypezig, the army pushed on, deeper into unknown territory. Reaching the walled city of New Golia, it deployed for a long siege. Despite the city's heavy fortifications and the fabled Tesla Factories, the city was no match for the advancing forces.

All backers who pledged at ADC level or above will receive one of the miraculous Tesla Cannons, plus two crew. Tesla Cannons are also now open as an option for anyone to add to their rewards.

We passed our goal of 85 pledges! All backers who have pledged for at least one unit of troops will receive three official Wooden Wars rubber balls in addition to all other rewards.

Thanks to your awesome support, Wooden Wars is in great shape! We want to sustain that support for the big push in the last days of the campaign. If we can rally enough backers to reach 110 total pledges, we'll bolster your forces. All unpainted 12 man infantry units included as rewards or added as extras become 14 man units. All unpainted 16 man infantry units become 18 man units.

So, for example, if you were backing at the $60 level (Captain), you would be able to choose a 14 man infantry unit, or a unit of 4 cavalry, or a battery of 2 cannons.

But that's not all - if you backed at the $50 level or above (ADC), you will get a pair of custom Wooden Wars dice included with your rewards. Additional dice can be added to any pledge at an extra cost of $5 for a set of six dice.

Tell your friends! Challenge your enemies! In the name of enlightened self-interest: the higher that number climbs, the more rewards get added to most reward tiers.

Strange Objects seen in the Skies!

As the victorious army seeks new territories to conquer, reports come in of strange sightings over the nearby towns of Goalensk and Blockodino. Rumors abound of bizarre creatures marching through the countryside, ravaging the earth and destroying all in its path.

If we reach this goal, the latest greatest challenge to face the armies of Wooden Wars comes to the battlefield. The Cythereans are coming!

Here are the rough first sketches for the Cytherean infantry and cavalry.

Any backer who pledges at the ADC level or above (that's the $50 level) will receive one of each of the new Cytherean sprues. Each sprue can make two Wooden Wars Cytherean Infantry soldiers or one Cytherean Dino-rider.

Check back for more details soon.

It all started as I was building toys and games to play with my young children. I required a base material of something kid-safe and durable and rules that were equally manageable--and it escalated from there. Wooden Wars and this first line of wooden figures evolved from our initial floor play with hand crafted, paper and wood models to the soldiers you see now: laser-cut and etched prototypes. This project is now the chance for me to take these prototypes and grown them into something bigger. Toys and games for all of us to play!

Wooden Wars - Rules of Engagement

Harkening back to the days of H.G. Wells, my Wooden Wars Wooden Soldier project is a visual and visceral action battle game, where tactics, good hand-eye coordination and a bit of luck are key! Players command armies of sturdy wooden soldiers against each other using the floor as the battlefield.

Victory is achieved by knocking over all the opposing sides’ forces by firing upon them, with melee action, or by capturing a key objective like the enemy’s flag or a star fort made of blocks.

The rules of engagement are simple. Players can either move units a fixed distance, or fire. Firing consists of tossing small rubber balls at the opponent's forces to knock them over. There is no looking up rules or arguing whether or not someone has been hit or not--the visuals tell it all!

An infantry unit with mounted officer advances one baton.

Hand-eye coordination plays an important role in wining battles, but that is only one of the skills a successful General requires. Maneuvering your troops around the battlefield to charge into combat and capturing key objectives can win the day.

With strategy, tactics, and rubber balls bouncing around with the accuracy of black-powder musket fire, Wooden Wars is bringing war back to the floor!

The History of Wooden Wars:

I have been creating table top and video games for over two decades. I love to create games and the associated pieces and accoutrements that go with them. Previously, models for my games consisted of pewter, resin, and plastic. But, while researching other more child-proof materials (cardboard not quite cutting it in that area) and not finding anything quite in-line with what I was imagining, I settled upon a tried and true old-school construction of wood. And it has taken off from there.

The first prototype, cut and painted by hand.

Napoleonic foot officer laser-etched sprue.

Hand painted foot and mounted officers.

Napoleonic foot soldier sprue.

My wooden soldiers are simple, dynamic, laser cut and etched models which assemble with any wood glue. Once built you can use them as is, or paint them up to your heart's desire. They are also very easy to customize, as all the pieces I design are mix-and-match. The models are styled to appeal to both a younger crowd (and make great parent-child projects) as well as to the toy soldier collectors and artists with an eye towards detail and the easy customization. Wooden Wars wooden soldiers are very sturdy, and, as you have seen, are designed to take a beating!For the past year I have working on my wooden soldier project, prototyping models and play testing the rules. I have a patent pending, and have produced over 500 of these prototype models to date, but outsourcing costs are becoming restrictive and are preventing my project from growing much further. In order for Wooden Wars to flourish I need to take it to the next level and start manufacturing the pieces myself!

The Meat of this Project - Setting up a Laser Cutter!

After some not so successful attempts at building my own laser cutter, the time has come to get my own production quality machine and all the required peripherals:

Laser cutting CnC machine

Two lasers at different wattages (one to cut, one to etch)

Water cooling system

Hepa-filtration system

Electrical converters

Sharks, Dinosaurs, and attachments (optional)

Laser cutting training!

With a laser cutter set-up at my disposal, I can be 100% in control of the models, and quickly iterate and adjust for the best quality, as well as making variations on the fly, expanding ranges and even doing custom pieces. Imagine your face on a General, or on medals....or a Robot Zombie!

Quality Counts!

My dream is for my children to play Wooden Wars with their children using the models they painted when they were young. For this reason, I make efforts to use quality woods and materials to create the best toys I can. You benefit from this too!

With me doing my own work in-house (okay, in-garage), I can keep the costs down and ensure quality. Not to mention, being able to claim "made in the U.S.A."!

I am also pretty sure that owning a laser cutter automatically gives you the right to laugh manically in public...

Expanding the Ranges!

The Napoleonic wooden soldiers is only the first of the lines on the table. I already have concepts for the next creations: Queen Victoria’s Robot Wars. I also have designs on making lines for the American Civil War, and of course, Zombies. By becoming part of this project you can provide input regarding what would you'd like to see, collect, paint up, and play with. Ooh, think of the possibilities!

On the drawing board - Queen Victoria's Robot Wars!

The Big Picture

Invention and creation provide great satisfaction to my life, but what gives me even greater joy, is to share the inventions and watch the play, interaction and emotions that follow. I look forward to many more years of working in the gaming industry, and the opportunities it provides us to make toys together!

I'd like to thank Mark Valentine, Michael Henry, and Joe Lyford for their help in preparing this campaign and to thank you very much for letting me show you my Wooden Wars Project. I hope you decide to come play!

For more information on how I built up Wooden Wars and more great pictures of the evolution of the models and games in action, please visit my dev diary on my blog:

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $20 or more
About $20

GRENADIER: In addition to the PDF, you will receive a full color printed copy of the Wooden Wars rules, in which your name will be listed as a Kickstarter Guard. *** International Backers, please add $5 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

HUSSAR: In addition to the PDF and printed rules (including your name as a Kickstarter Guard), you will receive a Wooden Wars infantry sprue, containing EITHER a single infantryman OR a single infantry officer. *** International Backers, please add $10 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

AIDE-DE-CAMP: In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as a Kickstarter Aide De Camp), you will receive 1 mounted ADC figure, one infantry soldier sprue AND one infantry officer sprue, along with a Wooden Wars medal designed exclusively for our Kickstarter project. *** International Backers, please add $10 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $60 or more
About $60

CAPTAIN: Backing the project at this level will get you enough figures to try out a small skirmish. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as an Officer), the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, you will receive ONE of the following Wooden Wars units:
Captain of Infantry - a unit of 12 infantry, OR
Captain of Cavalry - a unit of 4 cavalry, OR
Captain of Artillery - a battery of 2 cannon with crews. You will be able to tell us when the campaign finished which of these you choose. *** International Backers, please add $20 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

BRIGADIER: Backing the project at this level will get you enough figures to try out a small engagement. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as an Officer), the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, you will receive TWO of the following Wooden Wars units:
Captain of Infantry - a unit of 12 infantry, OR
Captain of Cavalry - a unit of 4 cavalry, OR
Captain of Artillery - a battery of 2 cannon with crews. You will be able to tell us when the campaign finished which of these you choose.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

COLONEL: Your support at this level will get you enough models for a small starter army, which can be split in two for small games. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as an Officer), the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will also receive a starter army consisting of 2 Infantry units of 12 figures each, 1 small battery of 2 cannon and crews, and 1 mounted officer. We'll also include a sprue of campaign medals for decorating your bravest players! *** International Backers, please add $20 for shipping.

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Pledge $180 or more
About $180

GENERAL: Your support at this level will get you enough models for a medium starter army, which can be split in two for small games. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as a General), the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will also receive a starter army consisting of 2 Infantry units of 12 figures each, 1 unit of 4 cavalry, 1 small battery of 2 cannon and crews, and 1 mounted officer. We'll also include a sprue of campaign medals for decorating your bravest players!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

GENERAL DU DIVISION: In addition to the rewards from the General tier, above, you will receive a framed piece of original artwork featuring one of the prototype drawings of a unit. Unit sizes are increased to 16 Infantry, 6 Cavalry, and 3 cannons and crews.

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Pledge $320 or more
About $320

MARSHALL: This reward gets you two starter armies and plenty of extras - everything you need for a good sized battle. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as a General), you will get the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, and your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will receive TWO armies, each consisting of 2 Infantry units of 12 figures each, 1 unit of 4 cavalry, 1 small battery of 2 cannon and crews, and 1 mounted officer. We'll also include a sprue of wooden medals, as well as the Kickstarter exclusives: a Wooden Wars campaign, and "The Emperor" (a mounted general). *** International Backers, please add $20 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

LA GRANDE ARMEE: For your support at this level, you will receive everything you need for a grand battle. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as a General), you will get the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, and your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will also receive TWO armies, each consisting of 2 Infantry units of 16 figures each, 1 unit of 6 cavalry, 1 battery of 3 cannon and crews, and 1 mounted officer. We'll also include a sprue of campaign medals, as well as the Kickstarter exclusives: a Wooden Wars campaign, and "The Emperor" (a mounted general). As if that weren't enough, Thomas will include a framed piece of signed original artwork featuring one of the prototype drawings of a unit.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

PRINCE: Your support at this level will get you enough models for a medium starter army beautifully painted and ready for action! In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as a Prince), the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will also receive a starter army consisting of 2 Infantry units of 16 figures each, 1 unit of 6 cavalry, 1 battery of 3 cannon and crews, and 1 Mounted Officer. We'll also include a sprue of campaign medals for decorating your bravest players! All these miniatures will be hand-painted by Wooden Wars' immensely talented creator, Thomas Foss, in a color scheme of his choosing. *** International Backers, please add $40 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,250 or more
About $1,250

IT'S GOOD TO BE KING!: This fantastic reward gets you two painted starter armies and plenty of extras - everything you need for a good sized battle. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as King), you will get the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, and your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will receive TWO armies, each consisting of 2 Infantry units of 12 figures each, 1 unit of 4 cavalry, 1 small battery of 2 cannon and crews, and 1 mounted officer. We'll also include a sprue of wooden medals, as well as the Kickstarter exclusives: a Wooden Wars campaign, and "The Emperor" (a mounted general). Both armies and all the extras will be immaculately hand-painted signed and dated by the creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. Also, you will work directly with Thomas to establish the uniform, flags, and history of your armies and they will be featured in the exclusive Kickstarter Wooden Wars campaign. Have your army's deeds immortalized in print and reenacted by Wooden Wars players everywhere! Your name will live on in infamy, credited as King in all Wooden Wars products. *** International Backers, please add $40 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,250 or more
About $1,250

THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE: This fantastic reward gets you two painted starter armies and plenty of extras - everything you need for a good sized battle. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as Queen), you will get the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, and your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will receive TWO armies, each consisting of 1 Infantry unit of 12 figures, 1 unit of 12 robot infantry, 1 unit of 4 cavalry, 1 small battery of 2 cannon and crews, and 1 mounted officer. We'll also include a sprue of wooden medals, as well as the Kickstarter exclusives: a Wooden Wars campaign, and "The Emperor" (a mounted general). Both armies and all the extras will be immaculately hand-painted signed and dated by the creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. Also, you will work directly with Thomas to establish the uniform, flags, and history of your armies and they will be featured in the exclusive Kickstarter Wooden Wars campaign. Have your army's deeds immortalized in print and reenacted by Wooden Wars players everywhere! Your name will live on in infamy, credited as Queen in all Wooden Wars products. *** International Backers, please add $40 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,000 or more
About $2,000

TSAR: Your support at this level will get you enough models for a medium starter army and the opportunity to create unique new unit types. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as a Tsar), the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will also receive a starter army consisting of 2 Infantry units of 12 figures each, 1 unit of 4 cavalry, 1 small battery of 2 cannon and crews, and 1 mounted officer. We'll also include a sprue of campaign medals. In addition, you will get to expand the Wooden Wars line! Work with Wooden Wars creator, Thomas Foss to design a new unit type to add to the line. Once your design is finalized, you will receive 50 cavalry-sized figures, OR 100 infantry-sized figures of your new design. *** International Backers, please add $40 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

IT'S BETTER TO BE EMPEROR!: For backing the project at this level, we'll pull out all the stops. For your generous support, you will receive everything you need for a grand battle in fine hand-painted style. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as Emperor for Life), you will get the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, and your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will also receive TWO armies, each consisting of: 2 Infantry units of 16 figures each, 1 unit of 6 cavalry, 1 battery of 3 cannon and crews, and 1 mounted officer. We'll also include a sprue of campaign medals. All this will be spectacularly painted by hand by Thomas Foss, creator of Wooden Wars. You will also receive the Kickstarter exclusives: a Wooden Wars campaign, and "The Emperor" (a mounted general). As if that weren't enough, Thomas will include a framed piece of signed original artwork featuring one of the prototype drawings of a unit. Your likeness will be used as the face of "The Emperor", the exclusive mounted general figure included in other rewards, so you will be leading armies to victory on battlefields around the world. What's more, you will work with Thomas to have a unit named after you in the forthcoming Queen Victoria's Robot Wars line for Wooden Wars! Finally, immortality is yours, as you will be credited as Emperor For Life in this and all future Wooden Wars products. *** International Backers, please add $40 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

THE EMPRESS: For backing the project at this level, we'll pull out all the stops. For your generous support, you will receive everything you need for a grand battle in fine hand-painted style. In addition to the PDF and printed rules (in which your name will be listed as Empress for Life), you will get the infantry man, officer, mounted ADC, and the medal, and your rulebook will be signed by creator of Wooden Wars, Thomas Foss. You will also receive TWO armies, each consisting of: 2 Infantry units of 16 figures each, 1 unit of 6 cavalry, 1 battery of 3 cannon and crews, and 1 mounted officer. We'll also include a sprue of campaign medals. All this will be spectacularly painted by hand by Thomas Foss, creator of Wooden Wars. You will also receive the Kickstarter exclusives: a Wooden Wars campaign, and "The Emperor" (a mounted general) and "The Empress" (A second mounted figure that can be a general or ADC). As if that weren't enough, Thomas will include a framed piece of signed original artwork featuring one of the prototype drawings of a unit. Your likeness will be used as the face of "The Empress", the exclusive mounted general figure included in other rewards, so you will be leading armies to victory on battlefields around the world. What's more, you will work with Thomas to have a unit named after you in the forthcoming Queen Victoria's Robot Wars line for Wooden Wars! Finally, immortality is yours, as you will be credited as Empress For Life in this and all future Wooden Wars products. *** International Backers, please add $40 for shipping.